LP Gas, August 2010

Financing Propane Resources surveyed retail propane marketers across the United States regarding fi nancing for the next year Here is what they had to say Outcomes Fifty four percent of responding retailers do not expect to need additional capital to run their businesses this year Retailers 88 percent plan to use the same banker or creditor as they have in the past Seventy nine percent of responding retailers feel the banking environment has become more restrictive Eight percent say it is less restrictive while 13 percent report seeing no change Reasons retailers will seek funding this year include purchase of assets 54 percent line of credit 33 percent cash fl ow 29 percent growth capital 21 percent and acquisitions 4 percent Twenty nine percent of respondents reporting sought new lines of credit Of that 29 percent 54 percent sought funding from a bank 4 percent from a leasing fi nance company 4 percent from an equipment supplier and 4 percent from other sources VitalSigns In The Know is presented as a partnership between LP Gas Magazine and Propane Resources I N THE KNOW 1 Do you expect you will need additional capital to run your business this year Yes 46 No 54 2 Do you plan to use the same banker or creditor as you have in the past Yes 88 No 4 Uncertain 8 3 In your experience has the banking environment become more restrictive or less restrictive this year compared to the past few years More restrictive 79 Less restrictive 8 No change 13 4 Which of the following are reasons for seeking funding Please mark all that apply Asset purchases 54 Line of credit 33 Cash fl ow 29 Growth capital 21 Acquisitions 4 Other 8 5 Have you initiated new lines of credit or other loans Yes 29 No 71 6 If so what type of fi nancial institution did you seek fi nancing from Bank 54 Equipment supplier 4 Financial partner 0 Investment fi rm 0 Leasing fi nance company 4 Other 4 Yes No STOCK CUSTOM Propane Decals Signs Hundreds of safety signs and decals available for immediate shipment www PropaneGraphics com FREE CAT A AL T OG call 800 783 7418 WE MAKE WINTERS ENENENENEW NEW Ht M R momooo m oom eeateeatHeHeaHeaHeateateteatee eateter eododee ododeododedelslslslsls SunStar SC18 Room Heater Sizes Range from A Compompomompmpleteeteetetete p L Lineinei eineineininene ofofofofof InfInfInInfnfrf ra ar dedededed d HeaterHeaterHeHeaeatateterers s fofofofofofor r oCommm CoCoCoCoCoCoCommmmmmmmercialalalalalal r a a andndndnd InduInduInIndndudustrtrtrtrtrial st a cicApplApApAppApApplplilippp App cpliciclicpliclpplplilicicati l at o nonononons s Ceramic Infrared Heaters 18 30000 Btu Hr SC Infrared Models Do not require an Accessory Floor Stand and are available with Manual or Thermostat Controls Fuel Efficient Radiant Heat Milivolt or Sizes Range From 26 155000 Btu Hr SunStar Heating Products Inc P O P Box o 36271 Charlotte NC 28236 704 372 3486 Fa F x 704 332 5843 Direct Spark Ignition Models STOP MASS MERCHANTS COLD WITH SUNSTARS NO HASSLE WARRANTY FOR THE NEAREST SUNSTAR DISTRIBUTOR CALL 1 888 778 6782 WWW SUNSTARHEATERS COM www LPGasmagazine com August 2010 LPGas 19